Laundry apparatus having heater, hollow agitator, and squeezer extractor



Oct. 20, 1953 D. RICHARDSON LAUNDRY APPARATUS HAVING HEATER, RoLLow AGITAToR, AND sQuEEzER ExTRAcToR Filed sept. 14, 1951 vLl om m AV Hwa m W f A D W F cf, .A

A TTORNE Y Patented Oct. 20, 1953 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE LAUNDRY APPARATUS HAVING HEATER,

HOLLOW AGITATOR, AND SQUEEZER EX- TRACTOR 3 Claims.

This invention relates to improved means for and methods of Washing and drying fabrics and dishes, and more particularly to improved washing and drying processes and machines.

An object of this invention is to provide improved means for washing clothes and other fabrics, and dishes and kitchen ware.

Another object cf this invention is to provide improved means for extracting soap, dirt, water and other liquids from clothes.

Yet another object is to provide a new and more economical means for rinsing clothes.

Still another object of this invention is to provide improved means for drying clothes, dishes and kitchen Ware.

Other objects will appear more fully from the following description and accompanying drawings wherein:

Figure 1 is a schematic View in section of one embodiment of the apparatus which constitutes the invention, and which can be used to illustrate the processes of the invention.

Figure 2 is a detail in section of one portion of the apparatus illustrated in Figure l showing a cylindrical valve sleeve in an open position. In one preferred embodiment of the invention illustrated, there is a conventional washing machine tub I fitted with an airtight lid or top 2 and a bottom drain and valve 3. The drain valve 3 is adapted to be connected to a Waste or sewer line (not shown).

The tub I is also fitted with an oscillating agitator 4 comprising a vertical shaft da, carrying a circular disc 4b with `perlorations 4c therein, and flanges 4d rigidly secured on the top of the disc 4b and radiating from the shaft 4a.

In one preferred embodiment the shaft 4a is hollow with openings 6 at the top thereof. The openings 6 are so positioned with respect to the top 2, and the top 2 is so shaped, that water emitting from the openings E will splash against the top 2 and spray clothes which are in the tub from the top, thereby effecting a quick and thorough wetting of the clothes and solving the problem of floating dry clothes.

The shaft 4a is further provided with cylindrical valve openings or ports B at the bottom of the tub which, when open, will pass either fresh or drain water. A cylindrical sleeve I is tted Within the shaft 4d and extends with the shaft through the bottom of the tub. The cylindrical sleeve I0 may `be moved vertically within the shaft 4a by a gear and rack I2 to which it is attached. When the sleeve Ill is in the up posiclosed; when it is in the down position illustrated in Figure 2, the ports 8 are open. In either position slots I4 in the lower portion thereof are opposite holes i3 in the lower portion of shaft `lla so that fluid inside the sleeve le may pass out through the shaft 4a into an annular space I8 formed around the lower extremity of the shaft 4a by an annular collar 2i). The annnular space I8 is connected by piping to other apparatus to be described hereinafter.

Also on the lower half of the shaft 4a, there may conveniently be iitted external gear teeth 22 which engage a pinion 24. The pinion is driven with an oscillating motion by a washing machine motor (not shown). and thereby causes the agitator 4 to oscillate.

Conveniently, a heater element 26 may be provided in the base of tub I to adjust automatically, for ideal temperature, The heater 2S and the disc :lb of the agitator may be of such size and may be so positioned in close proximity to each other as to prevent clothes from coming in direct contact with the heater 25. In the interest of simplifying the readability of certain details, the schematic drawing of Figures 1 and 2 have not been drawn to illustrate this.

Means may also be provided for squeezing clothes in the machine under positive compressive pressure. In the preferred embodiment illustrated a flexible tub 2S is used, being secured around the edges of the opening at the top of the outside tub I, and being secured also at the bottom of the outside tub I just outside the drain 3 and the heater 26. An airtight annular space or between-tubs chamber 29 is formed by the sides of the two tubs, the wash chamber Bt being inside the flexible tub 28.

Packing is, of course, provided between the outside tub I and the shaft la to prevent water leakage from the tub.

A source of water 3I of controllable temperature is also provided. It may take the form of a regulator adapted to receive both hot and cold water and to discharge water of a temperature selected on a dial (not shown).

Preferably, means are also provided for taking suction on fluids within and for discharging fluids into the various spaces. This may be a pump 32 which is capable of pumping both liquids and gaseous fluids in conjunction with an assembly of pipes and Valves. Conveniently, an intake manifold 33 with four valves 34, 35, and 35, and 31 and a discharge manifold y110, with three valves 4I, 42, and 43 may be used. In the illustrated tion, illustrated in Figure l, the ports 8 are 65 embodiment, valve 34 is connected to the between-tubs chamber 29, thus making it possible for the pump 32 to take suction there. Valve 35 is connected to the annular space I8 around the lower end of the shaft 4a, thus making it possible for the pump to take suction through the shaft 4a from the top of the Wash chamber 30 and when the sleeve l is down to take suction also from the bottom of the wash chamber 39. It should be observed however, that -when the sleeve l0 is up, suction may be taken from the top of the Wash chamber a-bove the level of water therein, thereby drawing a vacuum, without also taking water from the bottom of the tub.

Valve 3B may be connected to the source 3l of water of predetermined temperature, thereby facilitating the rapid use of Water of low pressure.

Valve 4| in the discharge .manifold may `,be connected to the between-tubs chamber 29 and valve 42 to a waste line. `Similarly, valve 43 may be connected to the annular space I8 around the lower -end of the shaft 14a, thereby making it possible for 'the pump to discharge into the shaft 4a, and into the top -of the wash chamber 3U when the sleeve l0 is up. Other embodiments of the invention may so arrange the valves and openings that it will not be necessary -to pass water through the center of the agitator shaft 4a.

lOperation The operation of this invention, and the processes thereof, can best be explained by running through typical wash cycles, rinse cycles, Water extraction cycles, and dry cycles.

In the i-lr'st stage of one possible wash cycle, soap and then clothes are placed in the Wash chamber 3B through the opening vin the top thereof, and the lid `2 lis then secured, airtight,in the opening. `With the Ysleeve I0 up, and all other valves closed, valves and 4I rare opened and the pump 32 started. A vacuum is-drawn in the wash chamber 3l) and a pressure of at least one atmosphere is present in the between-tubs chamber 29. Conveniently, more pressure may be obtained between tubs by opening 'valve `31 momentarily and allowing thepump to take suction on the open atmosphere vand discharge additional air into the between-tubs chamber "29. A between-tubs pressure on 'the yorder of two or three atmospheres is acceptable for Athis step.

The flexible tub 28 will collapse laround the clothes and compress Athem into a small space, and will make the wash chamber y3l) itself las small as the particular load of clothes Will permit. Then all other valves are closed and remain closedand valves 36 and v4?: are opened. Water of the desired temperature is admitted to the pump which discharges the water under force through the shaft 4a against the top 2, thereby spraying theclothes and wetting them from the top as the tub lls. Since the Vwash chamber is no bigger than the vspace the clothes occupy, and since the water is admitted from above the clothes, the entire load of clothes is wet thoroughly and quickly with a small amount of water. This novel way of solving the vproblem of float'- ing dry clothes is 'a significant contribution vto the art.

When a sumcient vamount of water 'has been admitted to Wet the clothes-a significantly less amount than that required in other Washersthe previously open valves are `closed and valves 34, 35 and 42 are opened so that the pump v'3-2 will'drawa vacuum on vthe between-tubs chamber 29 and the wash chamber V3l) through the openings 6 in the top of the shaft 4a, discharging to a sewer line (not shown). A pump control (not shown) may be provided which will cause the pump to maintain the exact vacuum for maximum boiling at the desired temperature- F. for cottons, lower temperatures for more delicate fabrics-and a small amount of heat may be introduced into the machine by the heater 26, thus effecting active boiling from the very bottom of the wash chamber "36.

This boiling action at reduced pressures causes 'soap or other cleaning compound to pass quickly 'into solution,A and since the amount of water present is small, Ieffects a thorough saturation of all the clothes With'soap.

After a shortperiod of boiling the heavily saturated soap solution, valves 34, 35 and 42 are closed and valves 3.5 and 43may be opened again until the proper amount of water for the second stage ofthe washing cycle, at least a half tub of water, has been admitted to the Washing chamber 3i). With -v-alves 34, E5 and 42 re-opened, and other valves closed, washing by boiling agitation at controlled temperatures may be resumed.

When the clothes being washed are delicate-or not very dirty, the rst stage, i. e., boiling -in heavily saturated soap solution, may be omitted. The boiling action provides ample agitation for washing silk stockings and similar articles. The innovation of using boiling action at `.controlled temperatures as a lsource of agitation, and the iiexibilit-y of a 'means lfor and method vof washing which is adaptable for washing any materials from the most delicate to the most 'rugged in the same machine are most significant contributions to the art.

At the conclusion of the second-stage boiling action, or in lieu ythereof if such should be the desire of the operator, the third stage of the Washing cycle is commenced. The motor (not shown) may be turned on and caused to activate the pinion 24 with an oscillating motion, thereby causing the agitator to oscillate. The use of this t-ype of agitation is familiar to those skilled in this art. The use of this agitation simultaneously with boiling action is unknown to the present art, however, and it has been found that such combination effects improved and more rapid washing. The invention contemplates flexibility vwhereby the mechanical agitation can be used either alone, or in conjunction with Vboiling agitation.

Yet a fourth stage of the washing cycle is available for use in accordance with this invention, on clothes which iemand it. rThe wash water may be pumped from the washing chamber 3i! into the between-tubs chamber v2&3. The valves. pipe, and pump are of such size `as 'to permit this operation to be a very rapid one. The nexvible tub 23 -iscaused to squeeze the water through the clothes 'with lgreat force, and a vacuum is drawnon the clothes when the water is removed. Then the Water is returned tothe wfash chamber. It has been found that several repetitionsof this type l"of hydraulic agitation, :which impels quantitles of Water through the clothes with vgreat force rather than justtu'mbling or yagitating the clothes in w-ater'and which periodically draws the water and'dirt and soap along with it from the veryicenter ofthe fibers when a vacuum is'drawn on the clothes, is most effective `to remove'stubborn'dirt. Yet the operation is gentle on clothes and uses no extra water.

It is tobe observed that the'invention contemplates fa washing process vwherein vthree different types of washing agitation-boiling, mechanical and hydraulic-may be used to best advantage, and further teaches apparatus whereby such combination of washing actions is possible. The degree of flexibility and adaptability of this invention for use o-n all clothes from the most delicate to the most rugged in one machine is, although long sought after, unknown to the prior art.

In order to simplify the explanation of this invention, no attempt has been made to show circuits, dials, etc., whereby the various choices of washing processes and temperatures may be made by simple dial selectors, but those skilled in the art will appreciate that this invention adapts itself to completely automatic operation by dial selectors.

When the clothes are washed satisfactorily, a choice of procedures for a water extracting cycle is available. A preferable choice includes a first and a second phase.

To perform the rst phase, assuming the wash water to have been returned to the wash chamber 3e, open valves 3l and 4! and discharge air into the between-tubs chamber 2s until a pressure on the order of several atmospheres is built up. In alternative embodiments tap water pressure may be used, but air pressure is preferable for use in. conjunction with the second phase of this extraction cycle.

With the required pressure between tubs, close all previoush7 open valves and open valves 3'5 and 62, thereby drawing a vacuum on the clothes while at the same time subjecting them to a squeezing action by the flexible tub 2S of several atmospheres. If the sleeve it left up during the initial part of this operation, most of the wash water may be removed through the opening il at the top of the shaft sa, thereby effecting removal of soap suds, dirt and scum from the top of the chamber without its passing through the clothes. When the washing chamber 30 is nearly dry, the sleeve it may be lowered so as to permit drainage of the last remaining water.

This phase solves the problem of some prior art machines which do not squeeze the clothes satisfactorily dry when used at high altitudes, and offers a further improvement over such washers wherever used by adapting a squeezing force of several times one atmosphere. This phase alone renders the clothes drier than any presently known extracting process or machine.

The second phase of the extracting process depends for its effectiveness upon the clothes being compressed into a solid mass without excessive air space by the action of the ilexible tub 23 under force from the between-tubs p-ressure.

It has been found that substantial quantities of water can be extracted from clothes so compressed by forcing air through them. This is'accomplished by opening the drain 3, valves 31 and 133, and discharging large quantities of air under pressure from the pump 32 into the top of the washing chamber 3c which has been forced into the contours of the wash load by the collapsing of the exible tub 28. rThis second phase of the water extraction cycle is also a novel contribution to the art.

When the water extraction cycle has been completed, much less soap and water remains in the clothes than is left by conventional processes, thus making it possible to save rinse water and to complete the rinsing in a shorter time. Further, rinsing may be accomplished two or three times in the manner suggested by the rst boiling phase of the wash cycle (the effective size of the Washing chamber being reduced) with the same amount of water normally required for one rinse. A desirable alternative rinse cycle may include rinsing with mechanical agitation as suggested in the third phase of the wash cycle, hereinbefore described. Any or all three types of agitation used in the wash cycles are, of course, available for rinsing, and the water extraction cycle following rinsing may include either or both phases of the water extraction cycle previously described with respect to wash water.

It is significant that the extracting cycle which is a part of this invention may be accomplished quietly and without vibration. The only' machinery in operation is a pump which may be of a rotary and very quiet type.

This invention further contemplates a dry cycle in the same machine which is used for washing and rinsing, thereby eliminating the need for two separate machines in the home, and eiecting great savings in cost. The top 2 is removed from the machine and a drying uid of high volatility and high miscibility with water, such as alcohol, is poured onto the clothes. Preferably the clothes are again squeezed with all drains closed under a pressure on the order of three or four atmospheres. A suitable time must be allowed for the drying fluid to mix with the water. During this time heat is added to the clothes by the heater 26. If the clothes are cotton, they are brought up to a temperature of about F. Lower temperatures are used for more delicate fabrics and for fabrics which dry more easily. Any liquid alcohol reaching the heater is dashed into vapor and moves back upward through the clothes. When the clothes, wet with alcohol or a similar fluid, are at the proper temperature, a vacuum is drawn on the wash chamber by pump 32 taking suction through valve 35 and discharging through valve d2, and causing residual alcohol-water mixture to boil away. The use of the second phase of the extracting cycle again at this point is beneficial.

The combined action of the drying iiuid, the heat, the vacuum, and the passage of air through the clothes effect a rapid and complete drying of clothes in a period of time unheard of in drying cycles known to the prior art. Further, the drying fluid is a solvent for certain types of stains and also performs cleaning, sterilizing, and mildew inhibiting functions during the drying cycle. Only a small quantity of heat-an insignificant percentage of the amount used by clothes driers known previously is required in this drying operation. The advantages of lower cost of operation of the drier, and of less heat dissipated into the surrounding space in which a housewife or other person must work are obvious, in. addition to the great saving of time. Moreover, since the rinsing action of this invention is more complete, and less soap film and dirt remain in the clothes, and further as a result of the lack of need for bringing clothes even near a scorch temperature, there is no toasting and discoloration common to clothes washed and dried in presentday machines and by present processes.

It is also signicant to observe that the invention, more flexible in itself than present washing processes and apparatus, is adaptable for more flexible control. More clothes may be added or some removed at any time by merely stopping the machine. There is a saving of soap since there is no need for a soak period with soap, as now required in most processes. The function of the soak period is accomplished in 7 the frst stage ofthe wash cycle, but the 'is not lostit is used #also in 'the `final stages of :the Washingcycle. Rinsing is made-easier since, S=by the-end of the .last -wash phase, the soapconcentration in 'the :fibres of =the=clothes has been reduced from the concentration effected inthe rst phase. 'This is brought about by the addition -of-more wash water-during the wash cycle. There is no lint problem as is common Withother ivvralshers and driers. rinsing has been vfound to e'iect -greatlyimproved and more vrapid rinsing.

The basic principles inherent in this invention are `also adaptable for use'in -dishwashing. either in apparatus 'of somewhatsimpli'ed design, 'or'in the apparatus disclosed and described fherein. Preferably, any .simplified design should include a wash chamber 'of variable lsize so 'that small loads of dishes may -be Washed with la small amount of water and 'cleaning compound. ADishes may be placed `at random in the Wash'chamber 39, and water is admitted to the wash chamber `3i) until the dishes are immersed by Yopening valves 36 and `113. 'Boiling 'agitation substantially as `described in stage two of 'the -clothes Wash cycle may then be used 1in alternation Vwith the step of subjecting the u.Wash 'chamber to pressure by opening valves 31 and d3 with other rrvalves closed.

"Water under pressure will penetratedried egg yolk, igrease, and .other foreign matter on dishes and kitchen utensils; upon 'sudden Vrelease fof pressure .and drawing of vacuum, v.the 'water 'will bubble from the surface 'of v.the dirty 4'article taking dirt and grease/along with it, thereby eie'c'ting a better cleansingof ldishesand kitchenware than .is accomplished by water spray 'methods common to the art. 'Drying of dishes :and other utensils may bev accomplishedfbylheat an'd'vacuum boiling, `without.collapsing the lexible'tub. It fis significant 'to 'note that ythis invention contemplates single apparatus which may lee-used fior washing both clothes and'dishes.

Washing liquids other than waterlinay be used. Other mcdiiications 'may be vmade 'Without departure from the scope of this invention. The above description, therefore, is to be 'construed as illustrative only, and is not t'orbe construed in any limiting-sense.

I cla-im:

1. In a washing machine vincluding an outside tub with an agita-tor therein, thecombination of a flexible tub positioned within said Voutside tub 'and forming a washing chamber containing'said lagitator, a valveextending into lthe bottom portion of said washing-chamber and providingan opening communicable therewith, the top of said agitator having an opening communicating with said washing chamber-,said agitator havingr apassage- Way therethrough communicating with vsaid .top opening and with said valve opening in the bottom of said Washing chamber, a pump with suction and discharge lines, .said suction line being connected througha valve to said agitator and com-- municating with said top yopening inthe agitator, said suction. line being further connectedthrough Boiling 'of clothes lduring lthe f .awalve 'to said outside v'tub in rback `of saidiiexifb1etub,.said suction .line being further .connected to -a `source of water of controllable tempera- 4turegsaid dischargeiline being connected through a valve toisaid :outside tub .in back vof said ilexible Ltub, said .discharge line being further connected through a valve tosaidagitatorand communicating 'with said top opening in the agitator, said :discharge vline being adapted .fora :still further 4'connection through a valve to .a waste line, vsand .fa heater positioned -in A'the bottom .portion-orsad washing chamber.

"2. E1n :a Washing machine including lan outside tub with means for iagitating .fluid therein, :a iiexible tub secured within said outside `-tuband enclosing awash chamber and forming .a `be tween-tubs chamber, pump fmeans adapted 4to takefsucti-on from atop portion and v'from afbottom portion of said wash chamber, 'and from the between-tubs vchamber, and adapted to 'discharge lto a waste line, and lmeans vfor placing 'lu'idunder pressure inthe between-'tubs chamber.

3. In `a Washing machine including lan loutside tub with means for vagitating'luid therein, a flexible tub vposition-ed Within said "outside tub and for-ming a Washing chamber containing'said agitating means, and pump means adapted to take suction iroin a 'top portion fand from va bottom portion of said washing-chamber,'irom'said outside tub in back of said ilexible tub, and from a source loi" Water of controllable temperature, 'and further adapted to discharge 'to a waste'line, to said outside tub in back v'of Vsaid "flexible tub, v'and to the Washing chamber.

'FILIFF "DAVID RICHARDSON.

References 'Cited `in the file of this `patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date r33,844 McDaniel Dec. 3, :1861 51,004 Betteley Nov. l21, 41865 172,099 .Duryea Jan. 11, .1876 266,481 Klander Oct. '24, 1882 413,232 -Houseman et al. Oct. 22, 1889 v803,051 Edson et al Oct. 3l, 1905 932,738 Wilson Aug. y3.1, 1909 .986,332 .Weiss Mar. '7, 1911 1,372,190 .Randal-l etal. .Man 22, 1921 A1,531,815 Robe Mar. 31, 1925 1,547,266 Robe July 28 1925 1,711,162 Woelfel Apr. 30, 1929 1,968,638 YDucker July 31, ..1934 v2,178,385 Alward Oct. 31, 1939 2,248,007 Michaels July .1, 1941 2,449,634 Baade Sept. 21, 1948 2,472,682 Rand .June 7, 1949 2,523,324 Putnam Sept. 26, 1950 .2,562,533 Dunlap .July .31, v1951 `FOREIGN PATENTS Number vCountry Date 2666,347 Great vBritain Feb. 13, 1-952 991,395 France June 20, '1951 

